1994 Jeep Cherokee Won't start

Tiny
NJPAMPINELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My 94 Jeep Cherokee wouldn't start so of course at first I did the 'girl thing' & just kept turning the key, turning the key, turning the key. NOTHING~ It doesn't try to turn over it doesn't click, snap, crackle or pop. It just does nothing at all. After about 25 attempts at turning the key, it turned over without hesitation, no problem, just like nothing was ever wrong with it! Once I turned the ignition off, it was the same ol' song & dance & I'd be stuck at wherever I was at with a Jeep that wouldn't start. Now I went through this a few times on a few different occasions. It seemed to pick & choose when it wanted to start & when didn't. At times it would start right up & at others, it would give me hell! Well, now it's at the point where it doesn't matter if I turn the key a 1001 times. It absolutely WILL NOT turn over. When I turn the key, the door dings, the dash lights come on, but it just wont turn over! I went on a whim & replaced my starter ALL BY MYSELF! (Yes, im proud! Lol!) I reconnected the starter wires properly, it's bolted into the housing perfectly & as tight I could get it. I did everything right~ It still will not start! I am soooo unbelievably frustrated! Any suggestions on what I should try next?
Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 8:10 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, have you done any testing at the starter relay? Did you try cranking in neutral? Battery has a full charge, cables are good?

Two feed terminals to the starter relay, should be hot with the key in the crank position.

Your way ahead of me, I've never changed out the starter on a Jeep. I'm impressed.

I just wanted to add, the starter relay may be in the power distribution center, under the hood, passenger side, top wheelwell.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 8:40 AM
Tiny
NJPAMPINELLA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you so much for your reply! I did like you said & I tryed cranking it over in neutral. It started right up, my reverse lights weren't operating either so im pretty darn sure that it's the neutral safety switch. I heard that sometimes they just need to be adjusted opposed to being replaced. So hopefully I can figure this one out without breaking it! I have very lil experience with any of this car stuff but im willing to try anything!
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hi, sounds like you got it going your way.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 1:04 PM

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